Donald L. Oleson, age 89, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at his residence.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown.
Fr. Paul Rutten will be the celebrant.
The family is requested to meet at the church on Wednesday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service.
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery in Grover, SD.
Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the U.S. Air Force.
Honorary pallbearers will be Donald's granddaughters, nephews and their spouses.
Active pallbearers will be Donald's grandsons.
Donald was born on August 31, 1929, in Willow Lake, SD to Agner and Bessie (Deuchler) Oleson.
He attended school in Willow Lake and began working with his father on the farm.
In 1951, Donald joined the Air Force until his honorable discharge when he returned back home.
On December 28, 1955, Donald married Joyce Coplan at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Henry, SD.
The couple farmed in the Naples and Grover area for several years.
Later Donald went to work for Hurkes Implement until his retirement in his 70's.
He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. Donald was a Minnesota Twins fan and loved wood working, watching birds, taking care of his lawn, and talking about the good old days of farming with his horses. Donald also served as a board member for the Grover Elevator and the Grover School.
Donald is survived by his wife, Joyce of Watertown; six children: Madonna Fogarty of Eyota, MN; Roger (Roxanne) Oleson of Watertown, SD; Chuck (Donna) Oleson of Henry, SD; Tina (Steve) Laurence of Rosholt, SD; Sandra (Bryan) Pedersen of Hayti, SD, and Tony (Betsy) Oleson of Watertown, SD; 16 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Agner and Bessie Oleson; his grandson, Casey Oleson; his brother, Darrell Oleson; his sisters, Dorothy Paulsen and Delores Spenst; his son-in-law, Tom Fogarty; and his mother and father in-law, Frank and Helen Coplan.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: May 14, 2019 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel
Service
When: May 14, 2019 7:00pm
Location: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel
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